RA - Past and Present

43 years and counting...
My name is K. David, My passion is helping people and creating change in this world. I believe we all have a purpose in our lives. I am blessed by our creator that he has given me mine through being diagnosed with arthritis at such an early age.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

In my forty three years living with RA I have taken all the traditional medicines that M.D.'s could prescribe. None had an effect on treating my RA; rather they just masked the pain and ongoing destruction. As a result I have had over 14 surgeries, including 7 total joint replacement/revisions and a cervical fusion. My life with traditional medicine treatment has been one great band aid after another with no one focusing on the root ofmy problem. I found a holistic practitioner a few months ago and my life has changed dramatically. I take vitamins and supplements that have effectively reduced my inflammation which is the source of pain and destruction (reference this article or research your own)

I was also instructed by my practitioner to begin drinking Ginger tea in addiction to my vitamins and supplements and have seen and felt an improvement. I am repeatedly reminded in my own research that we must take control of our own health by making our own decisions and not giving our trust (as for me 43 years of trust) to traditional medicine anymore. Go holistic or look for D.O.'s (doctor of osteopathic medicine). Mine has just given me hope (based on real results) fora future of reduced pain.

Friday, September 16, 2011

I am going to share a series of blogs following my progress in my life's journey unlike any before in my lifetime.

After 43 years of Rheumatoid Arthritis it seems traditional medicine has run its course for me. In fact they have even given me a new diagnosis. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Fancy way of saying since you have had this disease so long and it's destroyed most of your body there is nothing more we can do for you. So, in a final desperate act I was referred to a pain management clinic. I dutifully made my appointment as recommended and walked into the office with my stack of medical history forms that took me hours to fill out. The place gave me the creeps. It felt like a drug rehabilitation center.

They took my history and made a decision on my pain management in a matter of minutes (you know the traditional medicine 10 minute visit). Their plan, let's trick your body's natural defenses and block the pain by giving you a combination of pain medicines x and y. I made it crystal clear that I am looking for an answer to the root cause of my pain not a mask or band aid. I am not going to be on pain medicine for the rest of my life, I said. I wanted answers to why I was having so much pain. But traditional medicine does not have the answer. They have the next great medical breakthrough pill they want to give you.

I was given a plan and only one plan (pain medicines x and y) and told to think about it and let them know what I wanted to do. My decision was made before I exited the building. I was not going to be on pain medicines the rest of my life. There had to be an answer I kept telling myself.

Then it happened.

To be continued.....

Stay tuned and come along for the journey and feel free to comment or ask any questions you might have.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

We continue to evolve and learn on how we can make the Arthritis Walk even more successful. One way you can help make a HUGE contribution is simply by sharing your story of how the Arthritis Foundation has changed or impacted your life. Your story can be used to get media, publications, marketing and even corporate sponsorships for next years walk. People want to know how their dollars are helping and what the foundation does for people with arthritis. Personal stories are Powerful and make an enormous impact. I received a personal thank you and story from a young girl with arthritis when I sent out an email to our congress and Senate on a recent issue. I remember that I felt what I am doing is affecting millions of people just like her. It gave me a great sense of pride in what I am doing.

My story is long but here is my brief version:

Before I found the Arthritis Foundation I thought I would have to continue to battle this disease on my own and would forever be alone in my pain and existence. That all changed the day I found the arthritis foundation and it was through my Rheumatologist who sent me to be a Arthritis Self Help instructor as I had communicated to him I wanted to do more to help those with arthritis. Being in a room full of people whom I shared one thing in common gave me great hope and desire to help. Then came the Arthritis Walk and another opportunity to bond and make a difference for those with arthritis. Another area I am passionate about and have gained the opportunity because of the foundation is advocacy. I have been to our nation's capital twice and had a direct impact for getting both Senators Bayh and Lugar to Co-Sponsor the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act. And now I am Chairing the Walk and leading the way for those with arthritis. The arthritis foundation not only provides programs, services and research dollars but they also give people like me an opportunity to take a stand for arthritis.

What's your story? Has there been one significant event that turned your life around due to the Arthritis Foundation? Or there have been many?

So please take a few minutes and share your stories no matter how small you make think they are please use this as an opportunity to give if you have been wanting to but unable because of your current health.

Thank you and please know that I truly love and admire each and every one of you. Your courage and strength are an inspiration to me and I can promise you I will continue on this crusade until my death takes me from this earth.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

In life, the road first traveled is usually an anxious yet exciting experience. On the road previously traveled the experience is awakening and exhilarating. My second visit to our nation's capital for the Arthritis Advocacy Summit February 28 - March 1, 2006 turned out to be just that.

This year's summit had many new and some familiar faces, 271 in all representing 44 states to build on the accomplishments from last year's summit. During the 2005 summit 31 Senate and 119 House were secured to cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act. https://www.arthritis.org/advocacy/priorities/priorities_2005apcca.asp This year we were given the task of obtaining an additional 15 Senate and 69 House cosponsors. We obtained 4 Senate and 19 House but still need your help in Indiana. Senator Evan Bayh signed on to cosponsor in 2005. After two visits Senator Richard Lugar has not chosen to cosponsor yet. Out of 7 districts in Indiana we have two cosponsors from the House, Congresswoman Julia Carson and Congressman Mark Souder. Please write your representatives and share your personal story of how arthritis needs their attention and ask them to cosponsor the APCC Act. http://capwiz.com/arthritis/issues/?style=D&

My arrival to the registration desk turned out to be an exciting one. I was not the only representative from Indiana to speak on behalf of the 1.7 million Hoosiers with arthritis. Marva Stanford from the National Arthritis office who lives in Indiana, the Bonham family with their daughter Lyris (Indiana walk honoree), the Bickel family with their daughter Suzie (Indiana walk honoree) and Dr Kara Schmidt, Fellow for Pediatric Rheumatolgy at Riley Children's hospital were all here to put a face to arthritis and create change.

While our Indiana representation had increased over the 2005 visit we can still do better. Out of 7 districts we had three represented. In lay mans terms that means we had three face to face scheduled meetings with our House of Representatives out of a possible 7. In those three meetings we had one success with Congresswoman Julia Carson agreeing to cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act.

In general our requests were the same from 2005.

Cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention, Control, & Cure Act of 2005. In brief, this legislation would:Improve coordination among federal agencies and the public with regard to the federal investment in arthritis research and public health activities.Accelerate research that will lead to improved treatments for juvenile arthritis.Invest in a nationwide public health campaign designed to reduce the pain and disability of arthritis through early diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease.Ensure kids with arthritis have access to specialty care by addressing the nationwide shortage of pediatric rheumatologists.

Support additional funding for arthritis research at the National Institutes for Health (NIH).Support increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) arthritis program.Thank you all for you support and part in this historical time in those lives effected by arthritis.

If you would like to get even more involved please contact me. I am this year's Arthritis Walk Event Chair and am a team captain again this year and am looking to increase my team size and awareness in Indiana with your help.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

We came together in our nations capital 260 strong including 30 children with JA as one voice for arthritis. Our purpose was clear our message had to be refined to make the most of our 15 minutes with our Congressmen and Senators. We received clear directions from our national office of public policy and advocacy, STAY TO MESSAGE!

I am happy to report Senator Evan Bayh agreed to cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention, Control, & Cure Act of 2005. There were many victories like this during the three day Arthritis Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C. where 42 of the 50 States were represented.

Dr. John H. Klippel, President and CEO, of the Arthritis Foundation said to me “there was a Jazz in the air he had not seen since the first Summit in 1999….” People were “Jazzed” or “Geeked” depending on which part of the country you are from about this years summit.

Our message included three very important objectives to achieve during our two days on Capital Hill.

Ask our Congressman and Senators to:

1. Cosponsor the Arthritis Prevention, Control, & Cure Act of 2005.

In brief, this legislation would:* Improve coordination among federal agencies and the public with regard to the federal investment in arthritis research and public health activities.* Accelerate research that will lead to improved treatments for juvenile arthritis.* Invest in a nationwide public health campaign designed to reduce the pain and disability of arthritis through early diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease.* Ensure kids with arthritis have access to specialty care by addressing the nationwide shortage of pediatric rheumatologists.

2. Support additional funding for arthritis research at the National Institutes for Health (NIH).3. Support increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) arthritis program.

Therefore, with these objectives in mind how would I sum up 36 years of living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in 15 minutes. This was no easy task ahead of me. Do I talk about being woke up in the middle of the night from my own screams from severe pain? Crawling to the breakfast table in the mornings? What about when I failed fourth grade because my teacher thought I was old enough to take on the responsibility of taking my medicines when I needed them (4 aspirin every 4 hours)? Or the effects of living with a disease when there was no direct treatment to stop the progression and destruction from the JRA itself? I had a plenty of stories but which one would be the SLAM DUNK?

I decided to be a voice for our children today. After all, they don’t know what’s ahead of them. My message was clear. Stay the course with inadequate funding and do not pass the Arthritis Prevention, Control, & Cure Act and our children will end up like me.

· Fighting discrimination from employers because they don’t understand just getting out of bed is a good day· Having to chose over activities you love and enjoy because you cannot afford the consequences or simply can no longer do it· Spend your adult life having surgery after surgery to replace joints destroyed by the disease· Continue to replace the replaced joints because they are not a true replacement in the sense of the word replacement but only temporary to allow you to be pain free until they fail (either mechanically or because the body is attacking this foreign object) and need replaced.

What is my message to you after all of this?

Simple, make a difference and keep the momentum going that was started on February 28 and March 1 and select the link below and send the pre written letter to your state representatives.

Last year I visited D.C. for the first time in my life. I attended the Arthritis advocacy summit and met many incredible people and was touched by the many ways arthritis affects our families and loved ones.

I am returning to D.C. again to be a part of change for those with arthritis by asking our congressman and senators to co-sponsor the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act. I encourage you to share you personal stories with your state representatives. It is made easy by the arthritis foundation through their web site at www.arthritis.org. Just look for the advocacy link on the site.